Water Leaks

If you suspect you have a leak, it is best to get it repaired as soon as possible to prevent water waste and avoid escalating costs for water lost.

Water Loss in Gallons

At 60 p.s.i.

1/32" leak size = 6,000 gallon loss per month

1/16" leak size = 25,000 gallon loss per month

1/8" leak size = 100,000 gallon loss per month

1/4" leak size = 400,000 gallon loss per month

Based on information made available by the U.S. EPA,

The average household's leaks can account for more than 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year, or the amount of water needed to wash 270 loads of laundry.

Ten percent of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day.

The most common leaks that occur in the home are from worn toilet flappers, dripping faucets, and other leaking valves. All are easily correctable.

A leaky faucet that drips at the rate of one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons per year. That's the amount needed to take 180 showers!

Leaky faucets can be fixed by checking faucet washers and gaskets and replacing them, if necessary.

A showerhead leaking at 10 drips per minute waste more than 500 gallons per year. That's the amount of water it takes to wash 60 loads of dishes in your dishwasher!

If your toilet is leaking, the cause is most often a old, faulty toilet flapper. Over time, this inexpensive rubber parts decays, or minerals build up on it. It's usually best to replace the entire rubber flapper - a relatively easy, inexpensive do-it -yourself project.

If you need to replace an entire toilet, look for a WaterSense labeled model.

Irrigation systems should be checked each spring before use to make sure it was not damaged by frost or freezing